by Crissy Smith
“Us?” he probed. “So there is an us still?”
She smiled. For the first time since she’d found out about the fire she looked at him with the same passion as earlier. “You won’t get rid of me that easily.”
Mike sat on the bed. “Then what are you doing way over there?”
He chuckled as she launched herself from the window to him. He caught her weight easily and wrestled her under him.
“If you’re going to tell me about an ex I want to be able to touch you. To make sure you know it’s my hands on you, not his,” Mike confessed.
She reached up and cupped his face. “I know who I’m with, Mike Jackson.”
He bent and kissed her gently, holding himself in check so as not to get carried away.
He pulled back. “Tell me about him,” he requested.
Becca pushed on his chest and he sat back up. She scooted close to him, though, sitting cross-legged in front of him, her legs over his, which made both the human and wolf sides happy.
“I started to date Kurt before I graduated high school. He was older and at first my dad didn’t like it but Kurt promised my dad that nothing physical would happen as long as I was under age. He kept that promise.”
She looked up at him as if gauging his reaction. He gave her a small smile. It was all he could manage.
“I was still in school when he went into the service. The plan was he’d do his time while I finished high school and started college. He came back whenever he had leave. Everything was going okay.” She started to play with the edge of the comforter. “Then it changed.”
Mike sat silent waiting for her to finish.
“He was supposed to be getting out and would become the head of security for the Pack. I was planning our mating ceremony.”
Mike sucked in a breath. He hadn’t even considered their relationship had got that far.
“He surprised me by coming home one weekend. I was excited, thought he was home for good. That’s when he told me he’d re-enlisted. That he wasn’t going to mate me.”
Mike dropped his head. Did that mean she still loved Kurt?
“I was devastated,” she told him honestly. “Everyone was. It was supposed to be the perfect match for the Pack. And instead Kenny had to put his fire training on hold and I was alone. Tonight was the first time I’ve seen Kurt since.”
Mike was afraid to ask but he had to. “Do you still love him?”
Becca laughed, a small sound but happy. “I will always love Kurt. He was my first love, you know.” She reached for his hands. “But I am not in love with him. I don’t think I was even in love with him when I was planning our ceremony.”
Mike frowned. Now he was even more confused.
“Kurt was never cruel to me. You should know that. After we spoke he offered to give it more time, to keep dating and just hold off on the ceremony. To give me time to grow up. He could remain in the military, do one more tour, before coming back to mate with me and take the position with the Pack…if I could tell him I loved him more than anything in the world, and was ready to settle down for the rest of my life. That there was nothing and no one else I wanted. That I was okay with my life always remaining the same.”
She took a deep breath. “And I couldn’t do it faced with having him in front of me and asking for the first time what I really wanted. No one had really ever asked me that, not even my dad. Everyone had just assumed I wanted to mate and have us start our lives together. But I couldn’t do it. And Kurt had known.
“He made the hard decisions for me that night. Made himself the bad guy. I blamed him for a long time. For years I hated him, even if I knew deep down we’d been rushing into a commitment.”
“What changed?” Mike enquired.
“I did. I finished college and went on my first assignment away from home. I travelled for another month. Took my pictures and met good friends. I would have never have been able to do that. Not then.”
“I thought about writing to him a few years ago to see if I could repair our friendship because above all else we had been friends. Kenny didn’t know how to get hold of him and I couldn’t ask my dad. I was worried he’d think there was a chance of us getting back together.”
She pulled him closer. “I like my life. I am very happy. I wasn’t meant to be with Kurt. I know that and he knows that. I want more now.”
“What do you want?” he whispered and leaned towards her.
“I want everything. I want it all. My happily ever after. I deserve that. I was upset because my dad and Kenny kept something big from me. But I was scared that you would see Kurt and question what I felt for you.”
“Me?” he teased. “Worried about me?”
She grinned. “Yes. You are who I want, Mr Jackson. Already what I feel is stronger than anything I’ve ever experienced before.”
Pressing his mouth over Becca’s, he swallowed the sound when she moaned. He could work with that. Hell, he felt the same way. He wanted to mark her and let everyone know who she belonged to.
“Tell me you feel the same,” she pleaded.
“I do,” he told her quietly but truthfully. “You’re mine.” He moved his mouth to her neck, nibbling and sucking.
“Marking me?” she asked running her hands under his shirt.
Mike sucked harder before popping himself up on his elbows. “That’s just to start. Everyone will know you belong to me. That I belong to you.”
“Yes,” she urged. “That’s what I want.”
“I’ll give you what you want. What you need,” he promised.
She giggled. “Well then, have your way with me.”
Chapter Seven
Becca slowly woke wrapped around Mike’s solid form, her head on his shoulder and their hands clasped over his chest.
She felt lighter after her talk with Mike the night before. Her confession to Mike had opened old wounds but she was glad to have got it out of the way.
She was upset with her dad and her best friend but she knew why they had kept Kurt’s appearance a secret. And after thinking about it, she was glad they had. There was no way of knowing how she would have reacted knowing that her ex was close by.
She hadn’t lied when she’d told Mike she wasn’t in love with Kurt. It had taken a lot of years for her to realise that their relationship was what everyone else had wanted. She’d gone along with it for no other reason than it had been expected.
The Pack had wanted the connection. Wanted a strong mate for her in case something happened to the Alpha.
She would never regret her time with Kurt. And even better, she could look back at that time with fond memories, but that was all they would ever be—memories. She had a life without him. She was happy.
She crawled out of bed without disturbing Mike. She had to look down at him just one more time. Mike was handsome, strong and kind—just who she had pictured she would end up with. Not that she was in a hurry to mate. It would be a long time before she went down that road again. But she would like to spend time with Mike, to start to make new memories. She wanted Mike in her life.
The morning before—and God, did that seem like years ago now—she’d contacted her friend Nikki to get all the dirt on Mike.
They’d exchanged text messages, each one of Nikki’s consisting of her singing Mike’s praises. It had been obvious to Becca that Nikki wanted to play matchmaker. Becca took a lot of enjoyment in informing her that she didn’t need the help.
Nikki was pleased. Happy for her.
She’d met Nikki on one of her very first assignments away from home. Nikki had been writing an article on endangered red wolves in the United States. Becca had been asked to accompany her to take the photos.
Once both of them had realised they shared the shifter gene, they had become fast friends.
Becca knew that Nikki still took assignments all over even though she had mated. That was just the way Nikki was. She liked what she did. Becca preferred to be home. It was one of the few things they didn’
t have in common.
Of course, the last time Becca had taken a job out of the country was when her friend had her mating ceremony. Becca had hated to miss it but Nikki had understood.
Now that she’d met Mike, Becca had more of a reason to regret not being able to attend. Mike was one of Nikki’s mate’s best friends.
It really was a small world when you thought about it—the connections that drew people together.
The connection that helped to keep the shifter communities thriving even with the threats coming at them now.
Becca pulled jeans and a T-shirt out of her drawers and hurried to the shower. There was something she wanted to do first before she dealt with anything else.
She took a quick shower and dressed then managed to get out of the bedroom and downstairs without running into anyone. She avoided the kitchen, knowing that was where most people would be, slipped out of the door in the den and quickly made her way towards the woods.
She wasn’t quiet once outside in order to let anyone out know she was coming. If Kurt and his friends were staying in the area, she knew just where to find him.
She passed the creek and went further north. Before she got to the old hangout, she heard movement.
Kurt walked towards her and she paused to let him finish closing the distance. He smiled at her but nervously shoved his hands in his jeans. He wasn’t wearing a shirt or shoes.
He was more attractive now he’d aged, with tanned firm skin and a muscular body. But she was also relieved when she didn’t feel the same stirring inside at the sight of him half naked. She was truly over him.
“Hey, Becca,” he greeted.
She nodded. “You got a minute to talk?”
He motioned towards a pile of rocks they could sit on. She led the way and took a seat. Once he was beside her, she turned to face her old friend.
“I’m sorry, Becca. I should have told you I was back. That I was helping,” he started.
She held up a hand to stop him. “No, Kurt. You’ve apologised enough. It’s my turn.”
He jerked back. “What? No.”
“Yes,” she sighed. This was harder than she thought. “I was mad at you for a long time. I blamed you for leaving me.”
“I did,” he interrupted.
“No,” she corrected. “I let you go. You were right that night when you asked if I was one hundred per cent sure I was ready to settle down for the rest of my life. If I felt it in my bones that we were meant to be together forever. You knew.”
His shoulders slumped. “I only ever wanted what was best for you.”
“I know that.” She laughed. “Well, I know that now anyway.” She looked at him—really looked at her ex-lover and friend. He’d changed but remained the same honest man. He had laugh lines around his eyes. The blue colour still sparkled. Even with several days of not shaving and staying out in the woods he looked great. But he wasn’t what she wanted anymore.
“It took a lot of guts to come to me and end things. To follow your path and not give in to what everyone else thought was best. I’ll always be grateful to you for being able to do that.”
Kurt rubbed his hands over his knees. “Is this where you tell me you don’t love me anymore? That you’re happy with Mike?” he asked quietly.
Becca reached for one of his hands. She threaded her fingers through his. “No, I’ll always love you. That won’t change. I told Mike the same last night. And as far as what I feel about Mike?” She shrugged. “I don’t know where that will go. I enjoy him. Like being with him. But it’s new and right in the middle of the most difficult thing I’ve ever faced. Only time will tell. But I’m glad I have the chance to see what will happen.”
Kurt cupped her cheek with his free hand. “Tell me you’re happy.”
Becca turned her head and kissed his wrist. “I am. I really am. And I think you are too. But I want you to do something for me.”
Kurt dropped his hand and nodded. “Anything.”
“Stop staying away. After this is over, come home every once in a while. Your brother misses you, the Pack misses you and I miss you.”
“You mean that?” he asked quickly. “I don’t want to upset you.”
“Kurt, I never wanted you to stay away. This is your Pack too. You belong here. When you’re ready, I want you to visit. I want to be friends. Real friends.”
Kurt squeezed her hand. “I want that too.”
* * * *
Mike stepped out of the kitchen door into the bright morning sun. He saw Becca walk out of the coverage of the trees and smiled. He had opened his eyes in hopes of continuing where they had left off the night before when they had collapsed, spent and tired. But he’d woken alone.
He’d hid his disappointment at her disappearance while he enjoyed his breakfast of fresh baked bread, eggs and ham. While eating, he’d received the news that no one had been able to find Owen. He hadn’t been seen him since before the fire last night.
Mike had left a message for Brandon at the office and had also tried RJ but neither of them answered. His day had not started well.
But being able to take in the beautiful view of Becca heading towards him? Things were looking up.
She hadn’t noticed him yet and he took the opportunity to watch her. She bounced a little as she walked, obviously happy as she made her way back to the house.
He took the porch deck steps down and when she caught sight of him her grin grew. And that went straight to his heart.
She met him in the middle of the yard and threw her arms around his neck. “What a great morning!”
He laughed. “Your house burned down last night.”
She dropped back on her heels. “Oh yeah. Well, today started out better than yesterday so that’s something.”
He gave her a quick peck on the mouth. “Keep that thought.”
This time she frowned and withdrew her arms. “What happened?”
“Owen’s gone,” he explained.
“Damn,” she muttered. “Okay, well, he couldn’t have gone far. We’ll find him.”
“I left a message with a buddy of mine. He’s great at tracking. If we don’t find him soon, I want him to come down and help.” He slung his arm around her neck and started to lead her back to the house. “And where did you disappear to this morning?”
She stopped and turned to face him. “I went and talked to Kurt.”
Mike jerked back. Normally he would have had better control of himself but after their confessions the night before he hadn’t thought Becca would leave his bed to see her ex.
She grabbed his arms and pushed him to the side of the house. “Really? After everything that was said last night, you’re going to doubt my intentions?”
He opened his mouth to deny her accusation but she waved a hand. “What am I thinking? You’re a man!”
Mike nodded his head. He was a man but that was not what left him speechless. Oh no. The sight of Becca fuming before him was hot.
She smacked his shoulder. “I told you last night that I’d never really told Kurt that he was right. I didn’t want to start a relationship with you with that still hanging over our heads.”
Her eyes sparkled as she braced her feet shoulder length apart and fisted her hands on her hips. “Well? Don’t you have anything to say?”
He licked his lips. “God, I could fall in love with you.”
Well shit, that wasn’t what he’d meant to say.
Her expression softened. “I know. That’s why I had to talk to Kurt.”
Mike reached for her and she let him wrap his arms around her and pull her close. “I don’t care that you went and talked to your ex. I was just surprised. And maybe a little disappointed.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Disappointed?”
“Yeah,” he whispered as he ran his tongue down her neck. “I was looking forward to waking up with you in my arms.”
She sagged in his hold and tilted her head back to give him better access. “Well…”
Tur
ning them, Mike pressed her against the brick of the main house. He pressed close so she could feel his erection and rubbed himself over her.
“Mmm.” She shuddered. “That…that would have been nice.”
“Nice?” he growled. “I think we can do better than nice.”
He lifted her up with hands on her hips so she was trapped between the wall and his body. She wrapped her legs around his waist while yanking at his shirt.
“Skin,” she demanded. “I want your skin.”
He helped her and pulled the shirt over his head, before dropping it to the grass. He rocked forward, drawing out a low long moan from her. “Here, baby? You want me to take you here when anyone can come up on us?”
He wasn’t opposed to the idea. After all, their first night in the woods had been extremely erotic. The cool night air, the chance of exposure, the smell of nature.
But this wasn’t the same. This was her home.
“I want you,” she exclaimed. “Yes, here, now.”
No one could have said no to that. “Pull your shirt up,” he ordered.
He positioned his hands to get a better hold on her. Becca lifted the hem of her shirt and unclasped her bra.
“Give me your breasts.”
Cupping herself, she tilted forward. He licked her pert nipple before drawing the nub into his mouth. She arched and cried out.
God, he loved the sounds she made.
Nuzzling and sucking, he treated her other tit to the same treatment. Didn’t stop until she was panting.
“I need you,” she declared huskily.
He gently lowered her legs to the ground making sure she was steady. Her shirt came off, her bra hung off one shoulder, and he was already working on her jeans.
He shoved her pants past her knees and helped her fall forward onto the grass. On her hands and knees, she made a picture. He stood above her and lowered his zipper.
“Fuck, baby, you are so hot. I’m gonna fill you. Take you so hard. You’re going to be screaming my name,” he promised.
She nodded vigorously. “Yes, please.”
He shoved his own jeans and boxers down before dropping to cover her body with his. He used his fingers to make sure she was ready, slipping two digits inside. She rocked back against him.
